I knew it was a mistake the moment it was over. There was no going back now. Why had I volunteered so fast? Probably because I wanted to prove that I was stronger. Stronger than they believed me to be. I knew better though. I knew that I would not return from this cave alive.
“Well, what are you waiting for?” Sevash jeered.
“I’m going, I’m going.” I said, and drew my sword, and started towards the mouth of the cave.
Strange stories surrounded this cave. This was were the Werewolf of old had supposedly made his home. He would prowl the night, and lure unsuspecting travelers into his den where he would transform, and feast on them alive. The Werewolf was long gone now, but there were stories of people disappearing near here. It was rumored that a necromancer now lived in the cave, practicing his dark art in secrecy. The cave had a strange aura about it. It caused dark thoughts to enter the minds of those who lingered for too long. Eventually insanity was sure to follow.
I entered the cave, turned, and looked back. Sweat dripped down my face, and I was chilled. Sevash and the others motioned me to go in further. They intently watched as I disappeared around the first corner.
It grew very dim. I reached into the leather pouch on my side, and drew out a large crystal, that fit neatly into my palm. It provided some illumination, though it was still dim in the passage.
Something touched my foot! I lept back and swung wildly with my sword, meanwhile striking my head against the wall behind me. My light dropped from my hand, and illuminated the floor. It was a mouse. It squeaked, and ran back the way I had come.
My scare was over, but my heart still attempted to pound itself out of my chest. I forced myself to breathe normally, picked up my crystal, and pressed on.
My light wasn’t able to illuminate the floor, I could only see two feet in any given direction. So I moved forward cautiously, prodding and probing with my foot to assure myself of my surroundings. My sword I held out directly in front of me. It was lit up blue by the light of my crystal.
I rounded another corner, and I kicked something with my left foot. I heard it bounce away, and into a pool of water. It had sounded hollow, and wasn’t heavy enough to have hurt my foot. I stooped down, and illuminated the floor.
There were bones. A lot of bones. The skeletal remains of people long, long dead. I suddenly felt very cold, and clammy. My sword, and light I gripped so tightly my knuckles turned white. I felt a breath in my right ear.
“What think you of my abode?” the voice was deep, modulated, and gravelly.
I turned sharply right, and swung my sword. It struck something with a crash. There was splintering, and cracking. I saw in the dimness, that I had struck a tall skeleton, and sent it flying into pieces across the empty room.
“Who’s there!” I tried to shout, but the atmosphere seemed to suffocate my voice.
There was no reply.
I had to leave. I had to get out of this place now! I felt my way along the wall, and towards the corridor that I had come in by. Behind me I was sure that I heard breathing, and the breaths seemed to be getting closer, and closer. I bolted out into a full on run. Passed my turn, and slammed into the wall in front of me.
I staggered back, and turned down the corridor. I saw the light at the end of the tunnel. I emerged into the brightness of day, and squinted, I was completely breathless. I searched about, still squinting. Where was everyone?
“Guys. Hey guys! Where are you?” I called out. Had they left? I searched all afternoon for them, and then decided to head home.
Later I discovered that they had heard my crashing against the wall, when the mouse brushed my foot, and ran all the way back into the village, sure that they were going to die.